A sudsy brew may be your go-to beverage for a summer cookout, but if you’re wine-venturous (like how I did that?), here\u00a0are some general suggestions\u00a0for pairing wine (gasp!<\/em>) with your finger-lickin’ summer picnic.<\/p>\n Salads:<\/strong>\u00a0(with fruit) Try a dry Ros\u00e9, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling; (with chicken) Chardonnay or Viognier; (with flank steak) Pinot Noir, Malbec, or Merlot<\/p>\n Caprese Salad:<\/strong>\u00a0Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, or Chianti<\/p>\n Potato Salad:<\/strong>\u00a0Dry Ros\u00e9, Sauvignon Blanc, or Sparkling Wine<\/p>\n Grilled Chicken:<\/strong>\u00a0Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Malbec<\/p>\n Fish Tacos:<\/strong>\u00a0Pinot Grigio or a Brut Sparkling Wine<\/p>\n Hot Dogs:<\/strong>\u00a0Dry-style Riesling, Pinot Grigio, a dry Ros\u00e9, or\u00a0Pinot Noir<\/p>\n Chili Dog:<\/strong>\u00a0Shiraz or Zinfandel<\/p>\n Burgers:<\/strong>\u00a0Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Zinfandel<\/p>\n 7-Layer Dip:<\/strong>\u00a0Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese or Cabernet Franc<\/p>\n Guacamole:<\/strong>\u00a0Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, or Cabernet Franc<\/p>\n Barbecue Ribs\u00a0<\/strong>(and other yumminess)<\/em>:<\/strong>\u00a0Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Zinfandel<\/p>\n Think of wine as another condiment.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>You are the chef. What would you add to your ‘dog in addition to mustard and bacon bits? A crisp\u00a0white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc? Or something with a little more texture and substance, like a Pinot Noir? There is no\u00a0dead-wrong<\/em>\u00a0answer. It\u00a0all comes down to\u00a0what\u00a0rocks your tastebuds.<\/p>\n When in doubt?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Go with brut-style bubbly. Sparkling wine is way more than a glass of “cheers.” It is actually a great pairing with foods that have strong flavors or\u00a0multiple\u00a0condiments \u2013 and it’s super refreshing.<\/p>\n How to keep your wine cool on hot summer day?\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>There are plenty of gadgets out there to help keep your bottle cool, from fancy buckets to icicles. Great. But a small bucket of ice water is also plenty fine for your sizzler-of-a-picnic. If you’re so inclined to put ice in your wine (I’m not judging… too much), save it for the cheap stuff. Or better yet, make a summer wine spritzer by pouring equal parts wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, or Ros\u00e9) and\u00a0club soda over ice, then\u00a0garnishing with summery\u00a0green apple, melon, peach, or berries.<\/p>\n See other posts related to:<\/strong> <\/p>\n